New CSKT flags fly in Ronan

Moments after the first bell of the week rang at Ronan High School, a group of students from the Native American Culture Club stood outside in the gloom, wearing smiles.

Together, a team of seven raised their new Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes flag Monday, Jan. 14.

The Native American Culture Club is made up of 15-20 high school students who plan events to promote and enhance cultural identity among the student body, explained Jessica Johnson, director of Indian education in the Ronan School District.

“Under Superintended (Mark) Johnston and the Ronan Indian Education committee and the Title VI committee, and various high school students ... Came together and decided it was time” to install a tribal flag to fly with the state and nation’s, Johnson said.

Due to late starts for some of the high school students, they were not able to make Monday’s event.

There are more students in the club, Johnson said, and everyone in the district attended the ceremony for the flag last spring at the high school football field.

As discussions regarding the addition of the flag were held, Johnson said it “became clear” that not every flagpole at each Ronan school was tall enough to fly three flags.

The poles that were tall enough, which were at K. William Harvey Elementary and Ronan Middle School, received the CSKT flags “right away,” Johnson said.

The other buildings, including RHS, Pablo Elementary and the Ronan School District’s office, needed a second flagpole to fly the CSKT flag.

Pablo Elementary and the district office raised their flags around the recent Christmas festivities, Johnson noted.

Under previous administration years ago, Johnson said that there wasn’t support to fly the CSKT flag.

The collaboration between tribal, education and community entities to get the flag at RHS have been symbolic of better relationships, Johnson said.